Monday, November 28, 2005

What is a bell?

"In the Buddhist tradition, the first sound that a bell makes when struck signifies the awakened state which sees clearly into the nature of reality, and the fading tone is considered to be an icon of that reality, insofar as it symbolizes both awakening and impermanence. Thus the clear, brilliant sound of the bell symbolizes the emptiness, and therefore the openness of reality. Small handbells such as the one shown to the right are made of a blend of metals, and are used in tantric music. The bell is used as a sonic focus for meditation, a cadence factor for mantra recitation, and so forth. The sound of the bell is an apt symbol of the impermanence of all things."
Blagovest Bells� What is a bell?

No comments: